Jonathan Woodgate's injury nightmare has resurfaced after Real Madrid said the central defender will be out for up to four weeks with a torn hamstring.
Woodgate limped out of his side's win over Real Zaragoza on Sunday and now faces another spell on the sidelines.
The 25-year-old only recently returned following a thigh muscle injury which kept him out for almost 18 months.
The new setback has also cost him an expected call-up to the England squad to play Argentina on Saturday.
Woodgate was thought to be in England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans after making his long awaited return to action.
He had been out since tearing a thigh muscle in a Premiership game against Chelsea on 25 April 2004 before starting his first competitive match for the Spanish club against Athletic Bilbao on 22 September this year.
Real's £13.4m acquisition in August 2004 scored an own goal and was sent-off against Bilbao but has impressed since and also scored in a Champions League win over Rosenborg.
Woodgate is now set to miss Real's match against arch-rivals Barcelona on 19 November while his England prospects will also be concerning him.